NEW YORK -- Consumers reduced their outlays in June compared with May. Yet when gas station purchases are excluded, spending held up well amid continued economic doubts, supported by vehicle buys and summer promotions.

Retail sales advanced 0.2 percent last month after a revised 1 percent gain in May, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

Excluding gas stations, sales climbed a solid 0.7 percent.

The data are not adjusted for inflation, so the drop in fuel prices weighed on the headline figure.

Gas station receipts fell 5.3 percent, while motor vehicle and parts dealer sales rose 1.9 percent.

Elsewhere, shoppers chose purchases carefully as the impact of earlier tax relief faded.

Clothing and accessories stores and miscellaneous retailers each posted a 0.3 percent decline, while department store sales edged up 0.1 percent.

Online sales jumped 1.9 percent, lifted by Amazon Prime Day held June 23-26. Sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument and book stores rose 1.3 percent, helped in part by World Cup interest.

The figures capture only a portion of consumer outlays and omit travel and lodging. Restaurants, the only services category included, rose 0.1 percent.

The report follows news that U.S. inflation cooled last month as gas, apparel and used car prices declined, easing pressure on households, while underlying price measures also moderated more than forecast.

Gasoline averaged $3.94 a gallon Thursday, down from $4.04 a month earlier, AAA reported.

“Cooler headline growth of retail sales in June is actually good news, reflecting lower gas prices,” said Bill Adams, chief U.S. economist at Fifth Third Commercial Bank in Dallas. “Consumer spending continues to propel the economy.”

The Labor Department said Tuesday consumer prices fell 0.4 percent from May to June, the largest monthly drop in four years, after rising 0.5 percent the prior month. Year over year, inflation eased to 3.5 percent from 4.2 percent in May and came in below most forecasts.

Core readings suggest the earlier fuel price spike tied to the Iran conflict, while lifting some costs such as airfares, has not yet produced broad or lasting inflation. Still, renewed U.S. strikes on Iran and President Donald Trump’s new blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a route for roughly one-fifth of global oil, could reverse some of last month’s progress.

Major chains including Walmart, Target and Macy’s are set to report second-quarter results next month, offering further clues on spending patterns.

A Conference Board survey last month found consumer sentiment improved slightly as gas prices eased, though readings remain below historical norms.

Sarah Williamson, a 27-year-old software support engineer in Raleigh, North Carolina, said she has grown more selective with purchases over the past year. Secure in her job, she still trims nonessential buys because of higher food and fuel costs.

“I shop less overall as a hobby,” she said.

At the grocery store she skips pre-cut fruit to save money and watches clothing spending closely. She recently bought a $30 dress via TikTok Shop and a $72 cotton nightgown on Amazon, the latter a bit above her usual limit but justified by frequent use.

Brian Reynolds, CEO of Just For Teens, a skincare line for preteens and teens, said his $5 pimple patches target budget-conscious families and fit the current retail climate. By October the brand will reach 10,000 Dollar General stores, up from about 4,000 late last year. Sales have been steady, with stronger momentum expected during back-to-school season.

“There’s a lot of space for products that are everyday essentials that are value-priced,” he said.